More than $1.2 million in new funding will support community-led initiatives to improve access to cervical screening in NSW for populations which face barriers, as Australia pushes to become one of the first countries in the world to eliminate cervical cancer.
The Cancer Institute NSW has awarded $600,000 in Cervical Screening Integration Grants to seven organisations, and $680,000 in Cervical Screening Primary Care Grants to nine organisations.
The combined funding will strengthen access to culturally safe, inclusive and community-designed approaches to screening in priority populations
The grants focus on supporting populations who experience barriers to accessing screening, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities and people with disability.
Among the Integration grant recipients are ACON, who will receive $120,000 to re-establish a LGBTQ+ sexual health and cervical screening clinic, and the University of Technology Sydney, which will receive $119,997 to increase screening among pregnant refugee women who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM) through the integration of trauma-informed cervical screening in antenatal care.
The Primary Care Grants are designed to strengthen the role of nurses, midwives and the Aboriginal health workforce in delivering cervical screening.
Gandangara Health Services will receive $100,000 to deliver a culturally safe self-collection screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation will receive $99,999 to increase screening rates for Aboriginal women in the Singleton area.
A Cervical Screening Test every five years is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. It is recommended for eligible people aged 25 to 74 who have ever been sexually active and is available through multiple service providers, including GPs and Practice Nurses, Aboriginal Medical Services, Women's Health Centres and Women's Health Nurses. Cervical screening is also integrated in some sexual health and maternity care services.
The cervical screening test is a quick and simple procedure that looks for a common infection called human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes almost all cervical cancers. This can be done by a doctor or nurse. You also have the option to collect your own sample. This is called self-collection. Eligible people should have the screening test, even if they have had the HPV vaccination.
For more information on cervical screening, visit www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/screening-and-early-detection/cervical-screening.
For more information about the Cervical Screening Integration Grants visit: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/grants/grants-we-ve-funded/cancer-screening-and-prevention-grants/cervical-screening-integration-grants
For more information about the Cervical Screening Primary Care Grants visit: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/grants/grants-we-ve-funded/cancer-screening-and-prevention-grants/cervical-screening-primary-care-grants
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet we know screening rates are lower in some communities.
"This is about making access to preventative health care easier for more people.
"This investment supports frontline health services and community organisations to close those gaps and ensure no one is left behind as Australia moves towards eliminating cervical cancer."
Quote attributable to Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:
"Cervical cancer is a preventable cancer if detected in time.
"We're encouraging women to get a free cervical screen test every five years, as it can save lives. These grants support our work, making sure those who experience barriers to accessing screening, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ communities and people with disabilities are supported to access this important service."
Quotes attributable to Cancer Institute NSW Chief Executive Officer Tracey O'Brien:
"No one should miss out on cervical screening because of where they live, who they are, or the barriers they face.
"These grants support trusted organisations to design solutions that work for their communities. By increasing access to self-collection, strengthening culturally safe care and embedding screening into everyday health services, we are taking practical steps towards eliminating cervical cancer in NSW."
Quotes attributable to Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation CEO Taasha Layer:
"Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation is very grateful to the Cancer Institute NSW for this grant as the project aims to reduce the rate of cervical cancer.
"This grant will assist us in empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to creatively address barriers to cervical screening which will be a huge benefit for our Mob and local community."
Quotes attributable to Gandangara Health Services CEO Dr Melissa Williams:
"Our project brings together self-collection and yarning in a culturally safe environment.
"It's about listening to women, respecting their experiences and making screening accessible and comfortable."
